2027 Beneficiary Selection Process and Application Guidelines

 
 

Application Deadline: tuesday, January 12, 2027 @ 11:59pm ET - coming soon

Since 1996 the Pride and Remembrance Association (the “PRA”) has organized an annual athletic event as part of Toronto’s Pride events. The purpose of the pride & remembrance run (“The Run”) is twofold: to encourage physical fitness and athleticism in the context of the Pride celebrations, and to raise funds for charitable organizations whose aims and activities benefit the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The “PRA” is a strictly non-partisan, non-political organization, that values and celebrates unity, community, and wellbeing.

Participants in The Run may choose to run five (5) kilometers or walk three (3) kilometers, either as individuals or as members of a team. As well, they are encouraged to raise funds by soliciting pledges (fundraising). The pledges raised are collected by the Pride and Remembrance Foundation (the “PRF”) and subsequently distributed to beneficiaries chosen by the PRA’s Board of Directors.

This document contains important information to guide you in formulating and submitting a proposal for your registered charitable organization to be named as a beneficiary of the 2024 pride & remembrance run. Please ensure that you have read the guidelines carefully and that you fully understand its contents. Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact Jonathan Iu at jonathan@priderun.org.

The 2027 application process consists of two parts:

  1. The pride & remembrance run 2026 Beneficiary Application Form (COMING SOON)

  2. An interview with PRA board members

*A PDF copy of the 2027 Beneficiary Application Google form questions is available to review (coming soon).

The PRA will review all applications received by the application deadline. The PRA will then select a shortlist of applicants who will be invited to further elaborate on their application through a short presentation to PRA board members, followed by an interview. Once selected applicants are approved as beneficiaries by the PRA board of directors, they will enter a binding agreement with the PRA and the PRF, setting out the obligations of all parties.

Please ensure that all fields in the 2027 Beneficiary Application Form are completed. Complete the application form online prior to the deadline of 11:59pm, Tuesday, January 12, 2026.

Please note that if you are designated as a successful Applicant, you will be required to enter into a formal agreement with the PRA and the PRF reflecting the terms of your Application and these Terms and Conditions.

beneficiary eligibility criteria

In order to qualify as a beneficiary, the Applicant must:

  1. Be an incorporated charitable organization registered and in good standing with the Canada Revenue Agency - trusteeship arrangements with a charitable partner are not accepted.

  2. Provide services or conduct activities that benefit the 2SLGBTQ+ community. These services or activities might include, among other things, services providing health, education, legal, social, athletic or cultural benefit(s).

  3. Provide supporting documentation including policies and procedures regarding homophobia, antisemitism, and racism, as well as demonstrate a general compliance with Canadian and provincial human rights laws and policies.

  4. Provide a minimum of 25 volunteers to assist the PRA at The Run.

  5. Participate fully in this application process.

The PRA will consider and apply the following criteria to applicants throughout the beneficiary selection process:

  1. The ability of the Applicant to provide volunteer support or organization representation at certain projects/events leading up to The Run.

  2. The ability and commitment of the Applicant to enter into an Agreement with the PRA and the PRF, to work with the PRA Board to market, support and promote The Run, and to drive fundraising throughout the year leading up to the 2026 Run.

Please note that selected beneficiaries from 2025 and 2026 are not eligible to apply.

project funding and selection criteria

The Applicant should ensure that their project funding proposals align with the following selection guidelines and funding principles.

1. The PRA and PRF are looking to fund visionary projects that will have long-term, substantial impacts on the well-being and provisions to 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Your application should clearly outline the positive impacts and longevity of support to 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

2. Where possible, the PRA prefers to fund (ideally, on an exclusive basis) stand-alone projects for which funding from other sources may not be readily available.

In 2027 the PRA invites applications of funding up to $150,000. Fundings are broken down into two installments: the first installment of sixty percent (60%) will be disbursed by the end of September 2027, the second installment of forty percent (40%) upon submission and acceptance by the Foundation of a Final Report from the beneficiary in accordance with the terms of the Funding Agreement.

In its Final Report, the applicant will be required to demonstrate appropriate accountability for the Project funding as well as reasonable recognition of the Foundation’s support

3. Projects should ideally reflect the general themes of pride and/or remembrance, and should focus in one or more of the following areas (listed in alphabetical order):

  • Athletics/Arts & Culture

  • Education Services

  • Legal Services

  • Health Services

  • Social Services

    In 2026, post-run participant survey indicated that priorities were identified as #1, Health Services; #2, Educational services; #3, Social services; #4, Legal services, #5 Athletic & Wellness Services; and #6 Arts & Cultural services. The PRA’s preferences are for projects that are generally aligned with these priority areas.

4. The funds are to be used specifically for project expenses, but not to fund day-to-day operational costs of the organization (ie. monthly expenses, overhead or recurring costs, etc.).

5. In selecting a successful project and Applicant, the PRA Board may consider the following:

  • (a) Who will benefit from the project, and how?

  • (b) Is there a pressing, immediate need for the project?

  • (c) Is there a long-term benefit to the project?

  • (d) Does the project relate to the 2SLGBTQ+ community? Would it have broad appeal?

  • (e) Would the project appeal to event participants for fundraising purposes?

  • (f) Is the Applicant able to provide adequate volunteer and/or promotional support to the PRA and The Run?

6. Beneficiaries are required to provide a minimum of 25 volunteers to assist the PRA at The Run. This volunteer support helps to ensure the best experience for participants and is therefore mutually beneficial to PRA and Beneficiaries.

This year, beneficiary volunteers will provide event-day support at The Run after-party (held at Barbara Hill Park immediately following The Run). The Run takes place on the Saturday morning of Toronto’s Pride weekend, and volunteer support will be required from 7am-12pm.

The PRA recognizes that charity organizations often operate with small staff teams. If confirming volunteers from within your organization is a challenge, we encourage you to request volunteer support from your network (including existing volunteers, friends, family and all those committed to the goals of the pride & remembrance run).

The PRF also accepts grant applications throughout the year. More information can be found at www.priderun.org/foundation.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact Jonathan Iu at jonathan@priderun.org.

 

The Pride and Remembrance Foundation was established to provide financial support to registered charities that benefit the LGBTQ+ community.  These benefits may include individual projects, services and/or activities that provide health, educational, legal, social athletic, cultural or other charitable benefits. The Foundation has also established a scholarship for LGBTQ+ students at the University of Toronto and has supported the annual Bill Graham Award. Learn More about the Pride and Remembrance Foundation

 
 

past beneficiaries include

  • AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT)

  • Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS)

  • Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP)

  • Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (Buddies)

  • Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, Ottawa

  • CANVAS Programs

  • Casey House

  • EGALE Canada Human Rights Trust

  • Fife House

  • Food for Life

  • Get REAL Movement

  • HIV and AIDS Legal Clinic of Ontario

  • Inside Out

  • Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies, University of Toronto

  • PFLAG Toronto

  • People with AIDS Foundation

  • Rainbow Faith and Freedom

 

  • Rainbow Railroad

  • Sherbourne Health

  • Supporting Our Youth

  • Singing Out

  • The 519 Church Street Community Centre

  • The AIDS Memorial

  • The ArQuives (formerly, the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives)

  • The David Kelley Lesbian and Gay Community Counselling Program, Family Service Association of Toronto

  • The Gilbert Centre

  • The Stephen Lewis Foundation

  • Triangle Program of the Toronto District School Board

  • Women’s College Hospital – Transition-Related Surgery Compassionate Fund

  • Youthline